Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh and Egypt are not mine. Everybody else…all mine.

Seraph-Se-raf

Micah-Mike-ah

Karnak-Car-nac

Aurahkah-Are-ah-kah

Relah-Ray-lah

The thieves stirred in their sleep and Seraph paused. She waited and listened but no one woke up.

Seraph inched her way towards the fire, stepping around the thieves. As she was about to escape a hand reached out and grabbed her ankle.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Seraph kicked to get free but ended up falling into the sand. She crossed her arms and sat down.

"Where did you think you were going? If you left you would be dead in a matter of days. You are much safer here."

"You took me from my mama."

Bakura's father sighed. "Yes but we did not mean to. Once everything settles down we will return you and find my son."

Seraph turned away and began to cry. "But I want my mama."

Bakura's father gently took her chin and said, "Don't cry." I told you I was going to take you back. You have my word on it."

"Why should I believe you? You are those monsters Nadai was talking about. I won't let you take my soul!" she said defiantly.

Bakura's father sighed "Oh those monsters. My son believes in them too. Don't worry I don't want your soul. You can keep it."

"What's his name?"

"Who?"

"Your son silly."

"Bakura."

Bakura stirred and opened his eyes. He looked around and immediately pressed himself into the nearest corner.

"It's alrigh..hey boy. You okay?"

"Who..who are you?"

The man laughed. "Just a slave-to-be like yerself."

Bakura looked around and said "But..you all look …kinda like me."

"Yeah." Snorted one of the others. "They like the rare ones."

"Rare." Put in the third. "Makes us sound like meat."

"So why are we here?" Bakura asked.

"Well boy, we are soon going to be sold into slavery."

"Slavery?"

"Yeah. It's where they make you work like a dog all damn day. And you do it until you die."

Bakura's eyes went wide. "Die?"

The other man glared. "Ignore him. Don't scare the boy." To Bakura he said "You are going to live in a beautiful house and in that house you are going to help others. They will use you to carry things and you must do what they ask you to."

"Now you're lying to the kid!"

"Its better than scaring him halfway to hell!"

"So I'm gonna go and live in a house and I'm gonna help these people. But.." he began to cry. "I don't wanna live in a house. I wanna be with my Papa."

"Poor boy. He doesn't even understand."

Seraph woke up and rubbed her head. It really hurt. She looked around and saw the blood staining the sand. She remembered the guards coming. They came in during the night and slaughtered the thieves. She had been hit and left for dead. A few feet from her lay the body of Bakura's father. He was the only one who had cared enough to protect her. She laid her head down on her knees and began to cry.

"Holy Ra what happened here?"

Seraph looked up and saw a man standing there a pained expression on his face.

Seraph whimpered and reached out to him.

"They left a child to die in the desert." He walked over and picked her up. Without a word he held her while she cried. "Its alright little one. You are safe now."

He got onto his horse and placed Seraph in the front. He rode off into the night.

"What's your name little one?"

Seraph lifted her head and sniffed "Seraphic but mama used to call me Seraph."

Twelve Years Later….

"Seraphic! Seraphic where are you? Where did that girl get off to?" the priest ran out into the hall and continued to call her name.

Seraph came around the corner "Yes Master Micah. I'm right here."

"Child you are neglecting your studies again."

"But Master Micah I did everything."

Micah sighed. "Enough with the formalities."

"I just learned a higher level healing spell."

"Yes I know. You are to be tested later today. Are you prepared?"

"Actually I wanted to talk to you about that Micah."

"I sense a discussion."

Seraph laughed and said "Let's go get something to eat."

He led her into the room and placed a bowl in front of her. He sat down to eat his own. "Now what did you want to talk about?"

"You found me in the desert right?"

"Yes."

"Yet I said I wanted my mother. But there were no women there which means my mother must be alive somewhere. Correct?"

"One would assume so."

"I want to find her Micah. More than anything I want to know who I am."

Micah sat silently waiting for her to continue.

"I don't know where to look, but I want to find her. And I don't want to wait."

"Does this mean you don't want to be a priestess?"

Seraph took Micah's hand. "You raised me from the time I was six. I am eternally grateful but I have to know."

Micah covered her hand with his. "It seems you have really thought this through. Are you certain its what you want?"

"Yes. I have never been more certain in my life."

"Then I think its time I gave you this." He went to a locked cabinet and opened it. He pulled a piece of cloth and brought it over to the table. As he unwrapped the cloth he began to speak.

"This was around your neck when I found you. It is made of imperial gold. It may aid you in your quest."

He opened the cloth to reveal a golden necklace with a golden eye on it.

Seraph gasped. "Its beautiful." She reached out and touched the metal smooth and cold to her touch.

Micah placed it around her neck and said "Take it to the city of Thebes south of here. Once you get there take it to the palace. They can help you there. Tell them you're from the Karnak temple to train under the High Priest Seto.  I will write up the paperwork to get you there." As he spoke he dipped a quill in ink and began to write on the parchment. "Now go get the provisions for your journey."

Seraph stood up to leave. She pressed a kiss on his cheek and said "You've always been like a father to me. Thank you so much."

Micah smiled. "Yes and I have the gray hair to prove it."

Seraph laughed and walked out of the room.

In the Imperial City Thebes at the Royal Palace…..

"But My Pharaoh the law cannot stay as it is."

"Yes you would be defying your own law."

"Aurahkah explain!"

Aurahkah sighed. "My Lord you wish to marry Relah but with your father's laws in place she is your peer. You know the law states no one of the inner circle is permitted to have any relations marital or otherwise with any of their peers."

Seto breaks in "Don't forget about relationships with slaves Aura."

"It's Aurahkah to you and I was going to say that next."

"Enough you two. I am Pharaoh. I am above the law. My father's law stays in tact. Alright leave me."

Aurahkah and Seto leave the chamber. Seto grabs Aura's arm as she turns to leave. "Don't forget Aura the law states no peers or slaves."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"That slave of yours."

"What about him?"

"He has very little bruising for a slave."

"I don't beat my slaves like you beat yours."

"Just remember Aura you can be replaced."

"As can you, Lord Seto."

Seto turned and stalked down the hall.

Yami turned to a slave. "Send Relah to me."

Relah came into the room and bowed slightly "You called My Lord."

"Relah my dear, really forget the formalities. You are my fiancée not some lowly slave."

She draped her arms around his neck and kissed his shoulder. "Yes and I love hearing you say it."

He smiled and claimed her mouth with his own in a passionate and fiery kiss. When they finally broke apart she smiled and said "Did you have the law changed?"

"As I told the others I am Pharaoh. I am above the law."

"But I am not my dear."

"I am Pharaoh  I choose who is and is not above the law."

"What will your people think of a Pharaoh who defies his own laws?"

"Will it please you if I had the law changed?"

"Very much."

"I'll consider it."

"Thank you."

"Later. Right now I have pressing business."

"Yami-"

He silenced her with a finger against her lips. "With you my dear." He said as he kissed her.

Aura sat on her bed and began to think. The law was foremost in her mind. She knew the consequences.

"My Lady?"

Aura looked up and saw Bakura. She smiled.

"Yes slave?"

"Can I draw you a bath?"

"Certainly but close the door."

Bakura grinned and shut the door. He came into the room and after kissing her said mischievously "Would you like that I joined you in it my Lady?"

"Bakura love, drop the formalities. The door is closed after all."

Bakura led her into the bath that had already been drawn for her. He began to remove her clothes kissing various places where skin was revealed.

"Aura dearest you seem to be preoccupied today? Is there something I can do to help?"

"Kura you know the laws don't you?"

Bakura lifted her into the bath shedding his clothes and joining her. "Which one there are many."

"The one about relationships in the palace."

"Ah so that is that what has been on your mind. Yes I know I will be killed and you dismissed if we are caught."

"How can you say that so lightly. Don't you realize you will die and we will never be together?"

"Yes but I would much rather be together for a little time than none at all."

"Oh Bakura. I don't want to lose you." She buried her face in his shoulder and began to cry.

Bakura held her and smoothed back her hair. "Shh. Don't cry love. Everything will work out. You'll see." He silenced her sobs with a kiss.

Seto sat in his room and mulled over all that had been going on.

"How dare she. She serves the Pharaoh and at the same time laughs at his laws. I should have been the advisor. Not some woman who can't keep her hands off the servants."

He began to pace around his room. A servant came in.

"Can I get you anything My Lord?"

"Aurahkah's head on a platter." He mumbled to himself.

"What my lord?" the girl said.

"Nothing just leave me." He snapped.

"Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"Yes I'm certain. Get out!"

The girl flinched at his tone and ran out of the room.

Seto began to pace again. "If I just had proof I could be rid of both that slave Bakura and Aura. Then I will be Royal Advisor to Pharaoh. The way it should be." Seto sat down on the edge of the bed and glared at the floor. He began to think of a way he could expose Aurahkah and her lover.

Meanwhile at the gates to the city of Thebes….

Seraph walked up to the guard and said "I need to get into the city."

"Do you have your papers?" the guard asked.

Seraph dug in her sack and pulled out the official looking papers Micah gave her. She handed them to the guard and waited.

He looked them over, eyed her and returned them. "You may pass. Go straight to the palace."

Seraph took the papers and entered the gates to find herself in the middle of a bustling marketplace. She looked around in amazement and took in all the sights as well as delicious smells. She began to walk towards the palace, stopping often to look at a vender's wares.

One such merchant in particular caught her interest. He was selling rare jewelry. Seraph pulled her necklace out of her clothes and said "I was wondering if you could help me."

"That depends on what you need." The merchant replied.

"Do you know where this necklace came from?"

The merchant looked at it and said "This is made from imperial gold. Only royalty have it. Take it to the palace before someone thinks you stole it. A young lady like yourself should not be roaming the city alone. Hurry to the palace. They will help you there."

Seraph nodded and gave him her thanks. Taking the necklace she placed it back around her neck and hid it beneath the neckline of her dress. She looked up at the palace, its towers sparkling in the noon sun. Walking towards the palace she continued to take in all of the sights and sounds of the busy marketplace.

She arrived at the palace gates and was stopped by the guards. "What is your business here?"

"I was sent here by a merchant to find out about a piece of jewelry."

"Your word means nothing. Where are your papers?"

Seraph took her papers out and gave them to him. This guard read through the entire thing then he looked at her for a long time. Finally he said "You may pass."

Seraph sighed with relief and went through the gates and found herself in a beautiful courtyard. She began to walk towards the huge hall and entered.

"Hello?" she called.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to see someone."

"Alright. Who?"

"I don't know."

The man sighed. "What do you mean you don't know?"

"Here read these." Seraph gave the man the papers. While he read them she scanned the man. Dark hair. Very handsome but had a certain coldness to his blue eyes. He was tall and muscular with a sense of ruggedness about him. He looked as though he hadn't slept well lately. She shivered when he turned his searing gaze on her.

"Alright follow me." He led her down a hallway and stopped her at a door. "The throne room is through there. Wait there for the pharaoh. He will be there momentarily."

The man turned to leave and Seraph decided she didn't like him.

She watched as he stalked away and opened the door in front of her.

Seto returned to his chambers and summoned a slave. "Let the pharaoh know he has a visitor from Karnak."

"Yes my Lord."

Seto began to pace again. He thought about the woman he had just left. She definitely was beautiful. Tall but not too tall with rich long black hair. A creamy complexion that hinted of rare blood. Her eyes were a startling shade of lavender. She had luscious curves and a very ripe body. Seto shook his head as if he could rid his mind of her. He turned back to the problem at hand. How to expose Aura and that slave.

In the throne room…..

Seraph stood looking at the paintings on the walls. She was so immersed she didn't hear when the door opened.

A very irritated Yami walked in. He saw the girl standing in the corner and walked toward her. "Are you here to see the Pharaoh?"

"Yes. But maybe you can help me."

Yami walked over to his throne and sat. "Speak."

Seraph's eyes went wide and she bowed. "Forgive me My Pharaoh. I had no idea."

Yami waved his hand and said "What can I do for you?"

Relah entered the room. She smoothed her dress and bowed slightly.

"Umm I was wondering if you could possibly tell me what this is." She said taking out the necklace and showing it to him.

Yami's eyes widened. "Where did you get this?"

"From my mother."

Relah came over and looked at the necklace. She searched Yami's face and her eyes questioned him.

He turned to Seraph. "What is your name?"

"My full name is Seraphic but everyone calls me Seraph."

"Well Seraphic, did you steal this?"

"I told you my mother gave it to me."

Yami raised one eyebrow and watched the girl in front of him. "You would do well to watch your tongue."

Relah placed her hand on his arm and said "Why don't you have her stay here until we get to the bottom of this."

Yami thought for a moment. "Fine. Guards take her to the dungeons."

Relah looks at Yami as Seraph is removed forcefully from the room. "That is not what I meant and you know it." She said glaring.

"What? I did what you said."

Seraph was kicking and screaming "I haven't done anything. Put me down!"

The guards ignored her cries of protest and she was taken into the dungeons.

Relah glared at Yami.

"If she's a thief or the spawn of one I can hardly have her running around my palace."

Relah didn't say anything. She turned to leave and said "I will be sleeping in my own chambers tonight. Goodnight my Pharaoh."  With that she left the room.

Yami sighed and rubbed his temples. "Damn woman. Who does she think she is. I am Pharaoh. If I want to sleep her then damn right I will." He stalked out of the room muttering to himself.

Seraph sat in a cold, dark cell wondering why she ever came here. I could be a priestess right now she thought to herself. But no I had to come here and find out what happened. Damn Pharaoh. Thinks he can just throw people around. Accusing me of being a thief. How dare he. I may not be royalty but I am no thief. She continued to mutter to herself while sitting in the dungeon.

Bakura stirred and opened his eyes. He looked next to him and saw Aura sleeping peacefully. Trying not to wake her he slipped out of the bed and dressed in silence. He calmly opened the door and walked out to go complete his duties and fetch his mistress' dinner.

He came in with a steaming tray and kissed Aura. She woke up and smiled into the face of her lover.

"I brought you dinner My Lady."

"Bakura the door." She said.

"Don't worry. It's closed."

"Then why are you being formal?"

"You are mine, aren't you?"

"Forever my love." She pulled him down into the bed and kissed him.

"First we eat. Then we play." Bakura said.

He lifted the top of the tray and began to feed her the roasted pheasant.

"You don't have to do that you know?" she protested.

"Shh. Don't take away my fun."

"Well then please continue and have your fun. Later I will have mine."

Yami stood in front of Relah's door and cursed to the Gods. "Relah open this damn door."

"Yami dear you are making a scene. Just go to bed."

"Not without you." He tried to open the door again.

"You may be Pharaoh but even you can't get through locked doors."

"Damn locks. Remind me to get rid of them so she can't lock herself away from me. Relah! Open the damn door."

Relah sat on her bed steeling herself not to go to the door. She called to him. "No."

"Why dammit?"

"You should have thought about it before you threw that poor girl in the dungeon. I will come out when you let her out."

Yami sighed. "You're siding with the thief?"

"It hasn't been proven yet. Let her out and I'll let you in."

"I have a better idea. You come out this second and I'll let her out. If you choose not to she can stay down there and rot. The choice is yours. I will be in my chambers when you have made your decision." He walked away pleased with himself.

Relah sat in her room pissed off at her lover because he had not given her a choice. She sighed and left the room making her way to the dungeon. "Two can play this game Yami dear." She entered the dungeon and ordered the guard to release the young girl and have her brought to her chambers.

Seraph looked up at the guard who was opening her cell. He opened the door and said "Come the Lady wants to see you." He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out. He called to a servant and told the boy to take her to Relah's chambers.

"Knock on the door and wait for an answer. Then enter."

Seraph said "Okay."

The servant left her in front of an ornate door carved with symbols saying she was the Lady of the Palace. Seraph knocked on the door and heard "Enter."

She opened the door and bowing slightly said "My Lady."

Yoru: I'm loving these endings. Tons of relationships hidden. Brilliant Relah finds a way around Yami's choice and Seto is horny but is too mean to get any. He's also too occupied trying to find a way to take over Aurahkah's position. This will soon change…….